Student dies after frat boxing match fundraiser

Nathan Valencia, 21, was a kinesiology student and a fraternity member at University of Nevada in Las Vegas. FAMILY PHOTO

A Filipino American student at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas died after participating in a fraternity-sponsored charity boxing match.

Nathan Valencia, 21, a junior at UNLV fought a match Friday, Nov. 19,  collapsed after the fight and was pronounced dead on Tuesday, Nov. 23.

Valencia,  a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and kinesiology student at UNLV, apparently was not an experienced boxer.

Nathan Valencia (extreme right) with his family. FAMILY PHOTO

Valencia’s mother told the 8NewsNowI-Team she wanted him to back out of the fight, but he insisted on participating since it was for charity.

The Kappa Sigma Fraternity organized the event whose proceeds were donated to Center Ring Boxing.

Valencia’s friend Joe Castro told the I-Team when Valencia’s fight was over he clearly needed help.

“At first they wanted to get him up to get him to the middle to announce to raise the winner’s hand, you know. He couldn’t even walk to the middle of the ring. He was wobbling, like dazed, like he couldn’t even walk straight. And it was just… as I knew, that’s when I knew yeah something’s wrong right there. We gotta get a medic as soon as possible,” said Castro.

According to the Valencia family’s attorney, Nick Lasso, there was no medical help or a professional referee present.

“They had headgear and all that, but at the end of the day, when you’re getting hit in the head, you’re getting hit in the head,” added Castro.